Device for exercising hand and finger muscles



March 31, 1953 w. T. WRIGHT 2,633,358

DEVICE FOR EXERCISING HAND AND FINGER MUSCLES Filed Nov. 10, 1950 INVENTOR. l Vxu/mw Z ilk/a0? Patented Mar. 31, 1953 NITE D DEVICE FOR EXERCISING HAND AND FINGER MUSCLES William Tom Wright, Norwalk, Ohio Application November 10, 1950, Serial No. 195,058

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a device for developing the muscles of the hands and fingers, and more particularly to a physiotherapeutic device for exercising the muscles of paralyzed hands and fingers.

An object of this invention is to provide a physiotherapeutic device for use by paralyzed individuals in exercising affected muscles of the hand, to thereby regain normal use of the affected limbs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a physiotherapeutic device for exercising paralyzed hands and fingers to help strengthen the grip of the hand and to aid in relaxing abnormal muscular conditions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a physiotherapeutic device for increasing digital strength of the hand, to thereby particularly adapt the device for use in cases of partial paralysis.

Another object of this invention is to provide a physiotherapeutic device for exercising the muscles of paralyzed hands and fingers which is relatively simple in structure and cheap to manufacture.

The above and still further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the physiotherapeutic device of the present invention, shown engaged by the hand to be exercised; and

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the handexercising physiotherapeutic device shown in Figure 1, with parts broken away and shown in section.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the several views to designate like parts, there is shown the physiotherapeutic device of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral Hi and engaged by the hand I I, the hand including the fingers l2 and thumb i3.

The hand-exercising therapeutic device H1 includes an elongated length of flexible wire, preferably fabricated of spring steel and generally designated by the reference numeral l5. The length of wire l5 includes a substantially straight portion l6 which extends inwardly from one end thereof and terminates at a point adjacent to and spaced from said one end. The straight portion 16 is circular in cross-section and has its free end threaded, as designated by the reference numeral ll. Circumposed about the end-adjacent portion 16 is a grip l8 which is preferably fabricated of a rubber-containing material and is supported on the straight portion Hi. The grip I8 is maintained against displacement from its supported position on the elongated length of wire I5 by means of the abutment element l9 which bears against the end of the grip l8 adjacent thereto and is supported in threaded engagement on the threaded end I! of the straight portion IS.

The other end-adjacent portion 20 of the wire [5 is bent into spaced relation with respect to the grip l8 and is bent back and secured upon itself to form a closed loop 2| adapted to receive the thumb i3 of the hand II to be exercised. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the free end 23 of the end-adjacent portion 20 is bent into a position wherein it abuts against the adjacent section of wire l5, the free end 23 being held in its loopforming position by means of the sleeve 24 which is circumposed about and secured to the wire l5 contiguous to the end-adjacent portion 2|], the sleeve embracingly receivingthe free end 23 of the end-adjacent portion 20.

The portion of the shank intermediate the grip l8 and the thumb-engaging loop 2| is square in cross-section and is arcuately bent, as indicated by the reference numeral 25, to position the thumb-engaging loop 2| in spaced relation with respect to the portions of the hand grip I8 contiguous to the inner end of the straight portion Hi, that is, that end of the portion l6 that merges into the shank portion 25.

Although only one embodiment of the handexercising therapeutic device of the present invention has been described, it is readily apparent that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

What I claim is:

In a hand-exercising therapeutic device, an elongated wire fabricated of spring steel including a substantially straight portion extending inwardly from one end thereof and having its inner terminus at a point adjacent to and spaced from said one end, a grip adapted to be engaged by the fingers of a hand to be exercised circumposed about said straight portion and secured thereto, a straight shank arranged normally to said straight portion and disposed a substantial distance beyond said point in a direction away from said one end, a spring integral at opposite ends with and connecting said straight portion and shank for flexing of the shank against the force of the spring in the direction of the straight portion, an

end portion integral at one end with the other REFERENCES CITED end of the shank and extended angularly thereto The following references are of record m the in a direction away from said straight portion, me of this patent. and a thumb-receiving loop integral with the other end of the end portion, said loop being posi- 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS tioned by said spring, shank, and end portion in Number Name Date laterally spaced relation to the portion of the 494,197 Hall Mar. 28, 1893 hand contiguous 130 said. inner terminus Of P the straight portion.

. 0 Number Country Date L M TOM WRIGHT 245,458 Italy Feb. 25, 1926' 568,609 Great Britain Apr. 12, 1945 

